L.E. Shore Public Library is often used as an after school hang out for Beaver Valley Community School students, but this year, things will have to be a little different.
“I think one of the big things for parents to know is that we are only letting 15 people in at a time right now and it really is grab-and-go. We are not the after-school hang out,” says Sabrina Saunders, CEO of the Blue Mountains Public Library.
L.E. Shores Public Library will be reopening its doors to the public with limited access on Aug. 18.
Only 15 people will be allowed in the facility at one time for “light browsing” and pickups.
Face coverings, whether a mask or shield, will be mandatory inside the building.
Saunders says in a typical school year it is very common that kids hang out at the library for several hours after school, usually while they wait until 5 p.m. for their parents.
“In the past, this has been a lot of what we do. And, it is a great place for kids to hang out after school. They could grab their books, hang out together, read, do puzzles, sit on the computers,” Saunders says.
“But, I just want to be very clear, that is not the stage we are at ... so please don’t send your kids here after school.”
She adds the library staff are looking forward to the time that they can be the go-to spot again, but right now parents need to be aware that students will not be allowed to “hang out” for extended periods of time in the facility.
“It would be unsafe for the children and for parents to think that they can just come here after school,” she says. “We do not want to have to turn someone away and then have to worry about their safety.”
